If Simple Troubleshooting Doesn’t Solve Furnace Problems, It’s Time For A Professional Assessment

Winter is quickly approaching here in the Edwardsville area, and that means it’s almost time for your furnace to go back to work. While it’s always best to have a professional check out your system before the cold months arrive, you should know some simple troubleshooting tips in case you start having furnace problems.

The following is a good list to follow if your furnace is acting up:

Check your system’s thermostat. Make sure that your thermostat is set to “heat” mode and also check to see if the set temperature is correct.

Make sure that your furnace switch is turned on. If it is, check your fuse’s indicator light to see it’s in good shape.

Inspect/change your air filter. Often, furnace problems are the result of dirty air filters. Old and dirty air filters restrict air flow, which causes your system to overheat. It’s best to check your air filter every 30 days and change as necessary.

Ensure that your furnace’s door cover is tightly secured. If your furnace’s door cover is not properly secured, your system will not start. This usually occurs after the filter has been changed.

Check outdoor vent piping. If the furnaces vent pipes are blocked outside, your system will not operate properly. Always keep this area clear of snow, leaves and any other debris.

Make sure there aren’t too many registers closed. You should have no more than 20 percent of your home’s registers closed. If more than that are closed, excessive amounts of heat can build up and reduce the efficiency of your system.

If you have an oil furnace, make sure it isn’t low on oil. One of the main causes of oil furnace problems is an insufficient amount of oil.

If these simple troubleshooting tips do not solve your furnace problems, then you should seek out professional help. A professional HVAC technician can inspect your system and make the necessary adjustments/repairs to get it working efficiently again. For more information on solving your furnace problems, contact one of our experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling. We’re always happy to help.